How Texans, CJ Stroud unintentionally keep crushing the Carolina Panthers franchise
KARMA POLICE
04 January 2024
This week, the Houston Texans are preparing to play a do-or-die game against the Colts with a Wild Card berth on the line. And regardless of the outcome, it's safe to say it's been a great season for the Texans, who have already secured a winning record.
Especially when compared to how things have played out for the Panthers, who had the No. 1 pick in the draft. They've already fired their head coach and have only won two games this season.
Things got even worse for the Panthers on Sunday as they were dominated 26-0 by the Jaguars, who started backup quarterback CJ Beathard. Frustrations ran high in this game, causing QB Bryce Young to smash his tablet on the sideline, and owner David Tepper to throw his drink on Jaguar fans.
As if things aren't bad enough for Carolina, it looks like the Texans nailed the No.3 overall pick in the draft with Will Anderson, who looks like a legit Pro Bowler for years to come. Not to mention CJ Stroud who already plays like a generational QB as a rookie.
Also, let's not forget DeMeco Ryans and Nick Caserio have a legit shot at winning Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year, respectively.
With that in mind, what will it take for Houston fans to fully embrace the new-look Texans? Sunday's game against the Titans was one of the biggest crowds of the season at NRG, but there were a few empty seats.
What has to happen for Texans fans to fully buy back in and have a big waiting list for season tickets like in years past? Would beating the Colts and making the playoffs be enough?
Be sure to watch the video above as we break it all down!
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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